Features: Opposition

An Oral History of Grassroots Venezuelans in the Midst of the Economic War

By Cory Fischer-Hoffman/ Various, Jan 30th 2015

A woman shows her constitution and support for President Maduro at Plaza Bolivar on January 21. (Cory Fischer-Hoffman)

While the shortages and long-lines are creating serious inconveniences and undeniable burdens on most Venezuelans, beyond the frustration, the voices of grassroots Venezuelans are getting lost beneath negative predictions of macroeconomic collapse. In this oral history collage, members of the Venezuelan grassroots and popular movements speak for themselves about the roots of the economic war, their strategies in the face of it, and the solutions that they propose.

Venezuela in 2014: Maduro Administration Given Reprieve by Divided Opposition

By Ewan Robertson - Venezuelanalysis.com, Dec 19th 2014

From left to right: opposition leaders Leopoldo Lopez, Maria Corina Machado, and Henrique Capriles (AFP)

VA.com’s Ewan Robertson offers an assessment of the relative positions of the Bolivarian government and conservative opposition after a bumpy year for Venezuela’s politics and economy.

Venezuela's “Political Prisoner” Allegory

By Cory Fischer-Hoffman - Venezuelanalysis.com, Oct 2nd 2014

Photos of political prisoners detained at San Carlos between 1960-1979, on a wall of the former prison in an exhibit maintained

In the face of arrests, trials, and detentions of opposition and student leaders, allegations of political repression in Venezuela are circulating international and private national press. The Venezuelan government and its supporters adamantly reject the claim that Venezuela has any political prisoners and they assert that everyone in detention is being tried for their involvement in criminal conduct. This article aims to explore the issue of political prisoners in Venezuela by providing a broader historical context combined with an analysis of power in Venezuela today.

Aftermath of a Venezuela-Style Lynching

By Arlene Eisen, Jul 3rd 2014

Caption: Unidentified emergency medical technician attempts to protect Muñoz. (Carlos Becerra/Demotrix)

Almost three months have passed since an enraged right-wing mob brutally beat law student William Muñoz (30), then doused him with gasoline. It was a scene horrifically reminiscent of lynchings that have murdered thousands of Black people in the U.S.

Mercal Shooting Highlights Class Polarization, Psychologists Fear “Fractured Coexistence”

By Z.C. Dutka - Venezuelanalysis.com, Apr 4th 2014

Venezuelans wait in line to buy food at Mercal. (Archive)

Over the weekend, a panel of psychologists convened to discuss the societal tension that has built up since violent protest broke out in Venezuela, in February. They determined that dialogue-friendly spaces and a feeling of general safety have been compromised dramatically. The fatal shooting of a woman waiting on line to buy food Saturday highlighted fiercely clashing responses through social media as each political sector interpreted the tragedy as proof of their own worst fears.

Amnesty International Opposes Venezuelans Defending Their Human Rights

By Tamara Pearson- Venezuelanalysis.com, Mar 23rd 2014

A scene from San Cristobal, 7 March (AFP)

In a recent article Amnesty International accused the Venezuelan government of a “witch hunt” when opposition mayor, Daniel Ceballos was arrested. However, Amnesty has yet to use such strong language against the five weeks of human rights violations people in Venezuela have suffered at the hands of violent opposition sectors. The “witch hunt” term demonises the people’s right to bring such criminals to justice.

Eight Ways Venezuela's Violent Opposition Is Hopelessly Hypocritical

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim - Venezuelanalysis.com, Mar 20th 2014

A truck burnt by violent opposition sectors in Merida, 19 March (Tamara Pearson /Venezuelanalysis.com)

Of the many imaginative ways the opposition has proved itself hopelessly hypocritical, here are the top eight shameless contradictions.

Merida, Venezuela: Testimonies of the Barricades

By Tamara Pearson, Various – Venezuelanalysis.com, Mar 3rd 2014

Rubbish scattered in front of a barricade outside Santa Anita, Merida (Tamara Pearson / Venezuelanalysis.com)

The following are testimonies told to Venezuelanalysis.com by people in Merida city. They provide first hand accounts of the nature of the barricades and violence and the impact such actions are having on people.

Coups, Media and Stalemates: What Violent Protests Mean for Venezuela

By Venezuelanalysis.com, Feb 14th 2014

Venezuelanalysis.com’s staff writers offer their concise insights on three different angles of the violent protests that have

Venezuelanalysis.com’s staff writers offer their concise insights on three different angles of the violent protests that have been occurring in the country: the opposition’s strategy, how the media have reacted, and the implications of the protests for the Bolivarian Revolution.

Municipal Election Results: Venezuela Winning the War Waged against It

By Tamara Pearson- Venezuelanalysis.com, Dec 9th 2013

PSUV active members meeting in the lead up to the municipal elections (Telesur/archive)

Following a hard year for us, yesterday’s positive election result came as a relief. It is a hopeful result that gives a well deserved finger to the bitter, whinging opposition, and their private media buddies. However, the political significance of the result is also more complicated than that, and it is now time to focus our energy on really consolidating this revolution.

What are the Stakes in Venezuela's Municipal Elections?

By Ewan Robertson - Venezuelanalysis.com, Nov 24th 2013

(agencies)

What are the stakes for both Chavismo and the opposition in the upcoming municipal elections, and is it accurate to see the elections as a type of “plebiscite” on the government?

The Scarcity Diaries

By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com, Nov 6th 2013

A roving Mercal, September 2013 (Sibci)

Treasure hunting for milk, confronting local hoarders, overpriced Pringles, toilet paper dilemas, and black market rates that are both economically and politically profitable for big business... here are some experiences of food and product scarcity on the ground in Venezuela.

Letting Go of April: It's Time For Capriles to End His Gap Year

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim - Venezuelanalysis.com, Aug 23rd 2013

An opposition protest that turned violent following the 14 April elections (Ryan Mallett-Outtrim/Venezuelanalysis)

In the immediate aftermath of the 14 April presidential elections, opposition leader Henrique Capriles appeared to be heading a serious challenge to the new Maduro government. Now, less than six months later the opposition movement has lost much of the momentum it once enjoyed.

Venezuelan Opposition Give the Game Away on Electoral Fraud Claim

By Ewan Robertson - Venezuelanalysis.com, Jun 4th 2013

Ramon Guillero Aveledo, executive secretary of the opposition MUD coalition (archive)

Recent contradictory statements made by the opposition about the Venezuelan electoral system suggest that even the opposition are not convinced by Henrique Capriles’ claim of fraud in the April election.

Claims of Fraud in Venezuela: The Fake Evidence of Henrique Capriles

By Chris Carlson - Venezuelanalysis.com, Apr 20th 2013

Henrique Capriles holds up a vote tally at a press conference last Monday (Getty Images)

Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles has refused to acknowledge the results of the election, claiming the government committed fraud. In what follows, I will list all of the alleged evidence of fraud cited by Capriles, and explain why every single example is either demonstrably false, or extremely implausible.